Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
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The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, which was founded in 1261, is approached through a marble screen and courtyard (1480), possibly the work of Pietro Lombardo. The lunette over the screen contains an image of the eagle, the symbol of the scuola's patron saint, St. John the Evangelist.
The eagle is surmounted by a cross, which signifies the presence of a relic of the True Cross, which was presented to the scuola in 1389. The possession of such a precious relic greatly enhanced the prestige of the scuola, which began building on a new headquarters. The work was completed in 1454. The principal attraction of the interior is Mauro Codussi's double staircase (1498), one of the masterpieces of Renaissance design. The staircase leads to a large upper room, which was redecorated in 1727 by Giorgio Massari. The holy relic of the True Cross is preserved in a silver and crystal reliquary, which stands on the altar in the oratory. The paintings (the work of Gentile Bellini, Carpaccio and others) depicting the miracles performed by the relic, which once lined the walls of the oratory, are now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia. |
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
Interior of the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
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